Plate fight is over: Saskatchewan ends ban on Alberta plates at its job sites

EDMONTON — The licence plate fight between Saskatchewan and Alberta is over.

An Alberta government spokesman says Saskatchewan informed them by letter today it is rescinding its ban on vehicles with Alberta licence plates on Saskatchewan government project sites.

Jean-Marc Prevost, who speaks for Alberta Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous, says Saskatchewan did not give any reasons for its decision.

The letter arrived just hours before an arbitration panel under the New West Partnership was set to begin deliberations on the licence plate ban.

Alberta had initiated the review process under the partnership agreement, saying the ban was a clear violation of interprovincial free trade rules.

Saskatchewan had imposed the ban in December, saying it was in response to similar actions in Alberta, but never offered any proof to back up its assertions.

The Canadian Press